Door operator



March 17, 1942. R. SPOTTER ETAL 2,276,338

- Dooa o1 ERAToR Filed Feb. 3, Y1938 6 sheets-sheet 1 I INVENTRS March 17, 1942. R. s. POTTER. ETAL I 2,276,338

V DooR OPERATOR Filed Feb. 3, 19:58 6 sheets-sheet 2 57 ATToRNEY March 17, 1942. R, S OTTER Em 2,276,338

DOOR PERATOR Filed Feb. 5, 1938 SYSheetS-Sheet 4 g3g umili 775@ f6 ATTORNEY March 17, 1942. R. s. POTTER Er Al.y

nooR OPERATOR Filed Feb. 3, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 M s |V/////// j INVENTORS March 17,1942. R, s, PQTTER ETAL 2,276,338

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l ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 17, 1942v FICE DOOR DPERATOR Robert S. Potter and Maurice D. Bennett, Stamford, Conn., assignors to The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company,

Stamford, Conn., a

corporation of Connecticut l Application February 3, 1938, Serial No. 188,512

13 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for opening and closing doors automatically. More particularly, our invention relates to door opening and closing apparatus of a type which may be controlled by a photo-electric cell. l

Door operating apparatus of the type referred to by us is broadly not new, `and door operators controlled by photo-electric celis have beendeveloped by a number of inventors. Our invention contributes to the art a door operator of relatively simple character, in which we are able to use devices now available in the art, and devices which have been tested by use over a period of many years.

One feature of basic importance inherent in our invention is the feature whereby our door operator will allow the door to be opened manually, and' closedV automatically as by a standard commercial door closer, should the mechanisms fail for any reason, or should it'be desirable that the door operator be not used to open the door automatically.

More in detail, our door operator utilizes a door closer of a type well known in the art, which acts as a door closer to permit the opening of the door manually, and thereafter closes the door, preferably under the control of a fluid dashpot. 'Ihis same door closer, when combined as proposed by us with otherv means to form a new operating combination, functions as a door opener and also as a cushioning door closer, while not affecting the operation as a normal door closer. We are thus able, through use of our new combination, toobtain the operation normally expected from a door closer, while at the same time obtaining an automatic door open ing operation when vwe vwish it.

One form of our invention utilizes a door closer of the general type disclosed in the Potter Patent No. 1,926,554, dated September 12, 19,33, and also in the Norton Patent No. 1,152,339. As a matter of fact, the actual door operators we have built and tested utilize a door closer such as is manufactured today by the Norton Door Closer Co., of Chicago, Illinois. This door closer, now identified, is connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure. The application of fluid pressure to the door closer checking piston, reverses the action of the door closer and makes it function as a door opener, so long as the pressure applied is suilicient to force the checking piston to open the door, while allowing for 'dissipation of the iluid pressure through the valve mechanism which forms an essential part of the door closer.

Another form off our invention uses a door closer of the type just disclosed, except that the usual valve mechanism is not utilized, and new independent valve mechanism is substituted.

This new valve mechanism assists in the application of iiuid pressure to the door closer piston 'whereby the door closer may act as a door opener,

' desired, just as in the case of the regular commercial door closer we ilrst described generally.

Further features of -our invention which we shall describe and claim below, but which require no general description here, include means for controlling the application rof pressure, for generating fluid` pressure in several convenient ways, and for opening more than a single door. While we intend to describe certain preferred forms whichour invention may assume, we do wish it understood that we ,do not wish to be limited in our patent monopoly except as may be required by the state of the art.

'We shall now describe the drawings wherein several preferred forms of oui` invention are illustrated. In the drawings, Flg. 1 is a diagrammatic representation oi' one form of our invention' in which the pressure source is a form using oil and air. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section through the door closer shown in the modication of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a view along lines 3 3 of Fig. 2, while Fig. 4 is a view along lines I-I of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows the right hand end of the door closer of Fig. 2 with .one of the valve parts in a dilierent position. Fig. 6 is an isometric view of one of the valve parts used ln Fig. 2. Fig. 7 illustrates another form of our invention' applied to a door. Fig. 8 is a section through the iiuid pressure source of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 illustrates a door closer similar to that shown in Fig. 2, but with the valve mechanism the same as that present in a commercial door closer such as manufactured by the Norton'Door Closer Co. supra. Fig. 10 is a vertical section through-a fluid pressure source similar to that shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is' a cross section along lines II-Il of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 illustratesthe construction of Fig. 1 applied to a door. Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16 show the application of our invention to different types of door installations. Fig. 17 illustrates an alternate form of fluid pressure source. Fig. 18 is a section along lines Iii-I8 of Fig. 17, while Fig. 19 is a partial section along lines |9--I9 of Fig. 18.

Referring'to'Figs. 1-6 and 12 of the drawings, there is shown one form of our invention. In Fig. 12 there is shown a door I0 mounted in a door frame II for swinging movement from the position of Fig. 12 `to the position of Fig. 1. At I3, there is secured to the door a closer arm I4 pivoted at I5 to a second closer arm I6, which in turn is secured to the central shaft I1 of the door closer I8 (shown in Fig. 2).

The closer arm I6 carries a pawl I8a (Fig. 3) which fits into Athe teeth of a ratchet I9, which ratchet is secured to a sleeve 20, which is in turn secured to a spring winding sleeve 2I for winding the door closer spring 22 when the door is opened, all as is well known in the art. Opening movement of the door rotates arm I6 and shaft I1, and also the ratchet I9, so as to wind the spring 22. At the same time, the shaft I1 through coaction of its pinion 24 with the rack bar 25 forming part of the piston 23, moves the piston 23 to the left. Before describing now the action of the special valve mechanism mounted in the valve carrying head 26 of the door closer of Figs. 2-6, We shall refer to thestandard door closer of Fig. 9.

In Fig. 9, weY show a door closer which is exactly the same as that of Fig. 2, except for the valve mechanism and the pressure head 21 ofthe cylinder in which the checking piston 23 slides. the door closer of Fig. 9, with the piston at the extreme left and the spring wound up, once the door is released to allow free action of the spring, the piston moves to its position 4illustrated in Fig. 9, and in so moving, first forces the fluid through a passage 28, and a further passage 29 as controlled by a valve stem 30 having an adjusting head 3 I. From passage 29 the fluid moves to a central chamber 32 on the other'side of the piston 23.

The nal closing movement of the piston 23 closes off the valve passage 28 so that all the fluid must flow through the valve passage 33. Through proper construction of the valve stem 30, as is Well understood by those skilled n the art, the door will close at one speed until it reaches almost its nal closing position, whereupon it will close at another speed.

The door closer in Fig. 9 is shown with two identical piston heads 23 and 23a and two identical valve assemblies, because the said door closer is reversible. By merely taking out the spring 22 and turning it over so that it will rotate in a reverse direction, the door closer will function to close a door which swings outwardly, as is best shown in Fig. 13.4 This is al1 well understood by those skilled in the art, and since it forms no part of our invention, need not be described in more detail here. v

For the purposes of the invention utilized in Figs. 1-6, the head 21 of the standard door closer of Fig. 9 is removed, and a different head 26 is second bore 42 is formed in the valve head 26 and has secured therein a sleeve 43, best illustrated in Fig. 6. Sleeve 43 .has three longitudinal slots 46 Lformed therein, and has also a series of pierced openings 41 functioning as will be described presently.

Within the sleeve 43, which sleeve is maintained 'xed in the bore 42 of valve head 26, there is an inner sleeve member 46 which is in turn i'lxed relatively to the sleeve 43. A movable valve piston. 49 is` also mounted within the sleeve 43, and is normally maintained in its position of Fig. 2 by a spring 5D bottoming against sleeve 48. The passage 42 communicates with a nipple 5I similar to nipple 38, the nipple 5I being the pressure nipple and forming means whereby the pressure side of the fluid pressure source is connected through apipe 52 with the valve head 26, and therefore, the door closer I3.

The valve head 26 contains a further bore 53, which is threaded at 54 for cooperation with the headed end 55 of a valve Vstern 56 which lies in applied, as is shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. In addition, the valve passage in which the valve stem 36 operates in Fig. 9 is blocked off by a plug 3 4, while a sleeve 35 is inserted to block off the passage 28. Preferably, also, the opposite passage 29 adapted to cooperate with the piston head 23a on reversal of the door closer, is blocked off by a similar plug 34. Otherwise, the door closer retains the same form as shown in Fig. 9.

The valve head 26 is formed with a passage 36 leading to a threaded opening 31, into whichis inserted a nipple 36, which connects to a pipe 39 emptying at 40 into an oil reservoir 4I on the low pressure side of afluid pressure source. A

bore 53.v A further bore 51 is formed in the valve head, as is best illustrated in Fig. 2, this bore connecting with a circular groove 59 on the outer periphery of the valve head 26. As best seen in Fig. 4, this circular groove 53 leads in turn to the bore 33 and passage 29 described as present in the standard door closer of Fig. 9 to which valve head 26 is applied.

We shall' now describe the action of the door closer in Fig. 2 when it functions as a normal door closer. It will be well to indicate that its action as a normal door closer is substantially the same as that indicated with regard to the form of closer'shown in Fig. 9, except that instead of the controlling valve being the valve stem 30, it is, in the case of Fig. 2, the valve stem 56. When the door is opened, the spring 22 is wound up and the piston 23 is moved to the left from the position of Figs. 2 and 4. The fluid in the chamber 32 and behind the piston heads 23 and 23a will readily be dissipated through passages 28 and 29 on the left side of Fig. 4, and also through the unseating of the ball valve 23o in piston head 23.

When the Adoor is released so that it may4 close under the influence of the spring 22, the ball valve 23h will first be seated, allowing piston 23 to force the liquid against the valve head 26. The liquid so forced will move through the three slots 46 of the sleeve 43 of Fig. 6, and thence down through the holes 41 in said` sleeve 43, through the bore 51, best illustrated in Fig. 2, past the end of the valve stem 56. From bore 51, the fluid enters the circular groove 53 formed on the outer periphery of the valve head 26. It will emptyl from this circular groove 56 into the passage 33, and thence through the passage 29 and the bore of sleeve 35 intorthe chamber 32. Naturally, the position of the `valve stem 56 will control the speed with which the uid will move through the several passages indicated, and willthus control the speed of the closing of the door.

We believe that we have now presented the manner in which the door closer will function as a normal door closer when applied to a door as in Figs. l and l2.

As has already been indicated, the door closer of Figs. 2 and 4 is connected to a suitable pressure source' through the valve nipple 5I, and is connected to the low pressure side of that pressure source through the nipple 33. It will .be well now to explain just what happens when fluid under pressure is transmitted through the nipple 88, it being understood that preferably, the lfluid will be ofthe type now used in door closers.

If, in the position of Fig. 2, fluid is transmitted -under pressure through nipple it will first act '5 on the valve 49 and against the pressure of spring 58 to move that valve from the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 5. It will be well to note that with the valve piston 49 in the position of Fig. 5, openings 41 of theV valve sleeve 43 are 10 blocked oi, while notched openings 46a are exposed. Therefore, the uid under pressure will move through the notched openings 46a of the valve sleeve 43, thence through the three slotsv 46 and against the piston head 23. The ball 15 valve 23h will be seated by the pressure, so that the full fluid pressure will be transmitted against the piston head 23. It will force piston 23 to the left from the positions of Figs. 2 and 4, and motion will be transmitted from the rack 25 through 20 the pinion 24, to the closer shaft I1, to the arm '|6, thence to the door I8, so as to cause that door to move from the closed position. of Fig. 12 'to the position of Fig. l, and beyond that to full open position. The uid in back of piston heads 25 23 and 23a will move through the passage 29 and the bore of sleeve past the blocked passage 28, thence down passage 33, circular groove 58 (Fig. 4) into vertical bore 51 (Fig. 2), and through bore 36 and nipple 38 to the low pressure side 30 of the iiuid pressure source.

As will be noted in Fig. 4, ,the cylinder in which the piston head 23 operates has an opening Vat 59 so that when the piston*l` is moved to a position exposing the said opening`59, the excess 3'5 pressure presented against, the piston head 23 will be dissipated through the opening 59, the several passages as described above and through nipple 38 to the low pressure side of the uid pressure source. The reservoir 32a and all the 40 internal passages of the door closer are of course maintained full at all times, as will be appre-` ciated. f With the valve mechanism in the position of Fig. 5, should pressure against the piston head 23 be relieved, the door will close under the influence of the wound up spring 22, with the fluid controlling the speed of closing, as will now 4be indicated; First, the withdrawal of the pressure against the valve piston 49 will cause that '50 piston to move from the position of Fig. 5 back to the position of Fig. 2. 'Ihis will uncover the openings 41 leading froml the three .grooves 46 of the valve sleeve 43 of Fig. 6, as is apparent in Fig. 2, and will cover notched openings 46a. The 56 piston head 23 now forces the fluid through the internal passages of the door closer, that is, through grooves 46, through the openings 41,FV through the passage 51, thence past valve stem 5s, through tho oirou1ar groove sa and into the 'eo chambers 32 and,32a of the closer.` This flow of liquid during closing is identical with the flow previously described as taking place when the door is opened manually, and then allowed to close.

It will be well to explain at this time that each piston 23 is grooved at 23e, a small bore 60 running from the said groove 23e into the chamber adjacent the ball 23h. The groove 23c and the bore function to permit the escape of air 70 which may otherwise be trapped by the piston.

We shall now describe the means whereby pressure is properly applied to the nipple 5| for utilization against the piston 23 in the manner already set forth. One form of pressure source is illustrated in Fig. 1- and has alreadybeen re ferred to. A reservoir 4| contains the fluid which is the usual oil used in the door closer art. This oil is adapted to be pumped through a gear pump 6| into a pressure chamber 62` through the operation of a motor 63. The shaft 64 of the gear pump 6| extends downwardly so as to. operate a l cam 65,A which in turnoperates against a piston 66 for'forcing air pasta ball va1ve'61 through pipe 68 into-the pressure chamber 62, it being understood 'that the pressure of air in the chamber 62 against the body of oil therein-will forcethat oil through the iilter69, the pipe 1|l, and an electrically controlled piston 1I into the pipe 52 leading to the nipple 5|. v y

The motor 63 is connected to a source of alternating current 12 through a mercury switch 63a controlled by a oat 14, so that whenever the oil level in the reservoir 4| rises beyond a predetermined amount, the motor 63 will be started and the gear pump 6|. will force oil into the pressure chamber 62. l l

For controlling the pressure of the oil in the pressure chamber 62, we utilize a form of v'alve A15, shown here only diagrammatically since it may assume any one of many forms. This valve 15 communicates through pipe 16 with the air in the pressure chamber 62, it being the function of the air pressure to operate through bellows 8| against a piston 11 which may seat against an air admitting passage 18 forming the terminal end of pipe 18 which leads to the air pumping piston 66. When the pressure'in the chamber 62 reaches a predetermined limit which may be controlled by the setting of the spring 88, the air will act through pipe 16, bellows 8|, and against the pressure of spring to force the `piston 11 to close the passage I'i8 of the pipe 19, thus cutting 01T the iiow of air tothe air pumping piston'66.

When, however, the pressure in the chamberA 62 drops below a predetermined! amount, the piston 11 will move away from its seat against passage 18, and air will move through the pipe 18, to be forced by the piston 66 into the chamber 62. We thus have at all times a predetermined amount of oil Within the chamber 62 maintained under predetermined pressure and adapted for admittance into the door closer when permitted to do so bythe electrically controlled piston 1| In the position o f Fig. 1, the electrically controlled piston 1| is in a position to allow the flow of iluid through the pipe 52 into the door closer.

When, however, the piston 1| is allowed to drop, as when the circuit is broken through' the electro-magnetic relay 82, the grooved portion 83 of the piston 1| will move'below the openings to pipes 10 and 52, so as to shut off the admission of iluid under pressure to the closer. .When

of ,door closer spring 22, as-has already been described. The purpose of pipe 84 from the housing 1|a of piston 1| is to permit the bleeding of the said valve housing '1|a, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is now apparent that the door l is moved to open position whenever the electro-magnetic relay 82 is energized to move the pistrn- 1| to its position of Fig, l. It is further apparent that the de-energization of the electro-magnetic relay 82 will allow the piston 1| to drop so as to permit the door clcserto close the door.

It is now necessary to describe the means whereby the circuit through the electro-magnetic `former 13, from which it issues as low voltage.

A light source 85 receives this low voltage current and illuminates, through suitable lenses 86 and 81, a photo voltaic'cell 88 which, so long as the light shines thereon, generates current which maintains energized the relay 89, maintaining the armature 90 'away from contact 9| against the force of spring 92. It will be obvious that when a person approaching door |0 intercepts the light beam from source 85, the photo voltaic cell 88 will fail to generate electric current, and the spring 92 will move the armature 90 to close the circuit at 90, 9|. This will, through means to be described presently, cause the energization of the armature 82, and the consequent opening y of the door I0.

A dry disk copper oxide rectifier 93 is shown diagrammatioally,4 in Fig. 1, and is connected to the low voltage side of the alternating current transformer 13. Upon the closing of the contacts of the circuit of 90, 9|, current will flow from the conductor 94, through the resistor 95 and relay 96 as one path, and through the resistor 95a into condenser 91 as another path, back to the'rectifler 93 through the conductor 98. will be appreciated that the function of condenser 90a, which is in a circuit parallel to the circuit through contacts 9|, 92, is to prevent any arcing at 90, 9| when the circuit there is broken.

'I'he closing ofA the circuit through relay 96 moves the armature 99 into a position to close a circuit at |00 through relay ||0|, which relay receives its current direct frorri,the high tension A. C. supply 12, through conductors |02 and |03. The closing of the circuit through the relay |0| causes the armature |04 to close a circuit |05 through the relay 82, which moves the valve 1| into positio'n so that the door may be opened.

It will be appreciated that as soon as the person who has intercepted the beam between the source of light 85 and the` photo voltaic cell 88 passes beyond a certain point, the relay 89 will be re-energized, and the circuit will be broken at 90, 9| Unless some means were provided, this would cause the breaking of the circuits at 99, |00, |04, |05, the de-energization of the electro-magnetic relay 82, and the immediatev closing of the door. This operation would be undesirable because the door would close too swiftly under ordinary conditions. Some time period Imust be allowed for a person to'intercept the light beam, and then pass through the open door.

It is the purpose, of ourcondenser 91 and the resistors 95 and 95a to prolong the period during which the relay 96 will be energized after the relay 89 becomes re-energized due to the-reestablishment of the light beam. It will be understood that at the time the circuit is broken at 90. 9|, there will be a charge on the condenser 91. This charge 91 will pass through the resistor 95, the relay and conductor 96a, conductor 98, Iand back to the rectifier 93, so long as the charge on the condenser 91 remains. By adjusting the resistor 95, the ilow of current is controlled.

The purpose of the additional resistor 95a is to assist in the control of the time period during which the electric charge on condenser 91 will be dissipated. Thus, if the resistor 95a is set so that the resistance therethrough is quite low, the current will be short circuited around relay 96 to the conductor 98. On the other hand, if the resistance through conductor 95a is set relatively high, then the major portion of the current charge on condenser 91 will flow through the relay l98 to conductor 98. By adjusting the two resistors 95 and 95a, the time interval during which effective current will flow through the relay 96 may be deiinitely prolonged to a predetermined period.

Because of this construction, even though the person who has shut oi the light beam has passed beyond the light beam, the electro-magnetic relay 96 will still remain energized, vfunctioning through contacts 99, |00, relay |01, contacts |04, and |05,

'to maintain the electro-magnetic relay 82 enertion in which the same door closer is used as pre-V viously described, also the same electrical control. However, instead of having the door'closer fluid constantly under pressure and available for application, we utilize quick'acting power means for generating pressure for the interval that the door is to be opened and kept open. 'I'he iluid pressure source to which we allude is shown best in Figs. 1, 8 and 10, while a modification thereof is shownin, Figs. 17, 18 and 19.

Referring now iirst to Figs. '7, 8 and 10, it will be noted that the arrangement of the door and the door closer, and the electric control circuit is exactly like that of Figs. 1 and 12. The control relay |0| in the alternating current circuit, is, however, adapted to close the circuit of an electric motor ||0, rather than the circuit of a valve controlling relay 82, as is the case in the modification of Figs. 1 and 12. The motor ||0, as is best seen from Fig. 8, drives a pump shaft I for actuating a standard form of pump ||2 to It will now be well to describe one complete I operation of the invention of Figs. 7 and 8 before proceeding further. When a person intercepts the light beam between light source 85 and the parallel circuit including the condenser 91, and back to the rectifier through the common conductor 98.

Energization of the relay 96 will pull the armature 99 into engagement with contact |00, so as to close a circuit through relay |I, as follows: From the A. C. source 12 through conductors |02, relay |0|, contacts 99, |00 and conductor |03, back to the A. C. source. The excitation of relay |0| will close the circuit at |04, |95 through the electric motor |I0, as is obvious. The motor ||0 will immediately force liquid under pressure through pipe ||4 to the door closer, and against piston 23 of the door closerl thus forcing the door open.

As soon as the person who has intercepted the light beam from the Voltaic cell 88 passes beyond the light beam, the voltaic cell once again gen-` erates electric current and energizes the relay 89. This opens the circuit at 90, 9| and stops the ow of electricity from the rectifier 93 through the relay 96. However, the condenser'91 has been charged, and will send current through the relay 96, through the resistor 95, as is quite obvious. The resistor 95a, if set to a very high resistance, will compel most of the current to ow through sufcient to overcome the force of the spring the relay 96, and will prolong the duration of short circuited relatively to the relay 96, and the relay will be de-energized only a very short interval after the re-establishment of the light beam.

When finally the charge on the cndenser 91 |28-, the piston |25 will be raised, exposing a series of transverse passages |28, best shown in Fig. 11. Pressure will be dissipated through the transverse passages |28 to an extent sufiicient to bring the pressure down to the desired level to which the spring |26 has been set. For determining the pressures, there is connected to the pipe ||5 a further extension |29 to which may be attached a gauge, as will be quite clear lto those skilled in the art.

For simplicity, the pipe ||5 of Fig. 8 is not shown in Figs. 10 and 11, but such a pipe will naturally be installed. It should now be quite clear that the construction of Fig. 10 will be effective to force fluid under a predetermined pres# sure into the door closer, and that this predey -ing oil pressure for operating our door opening mechanism, this mechanism being of a construction which will operate quite satisfactorily where the source of water pressure is merely the usual domestic water faucet. Referring toFigs. 17, 18 and 19, we shall describe this modification of our invention.

On a base |30, there is supported a cylinder |3| on which is placed a second cylinder |32 having a series of ears |34.` Ears |35 corresponding is consumed, the relay 96 will be de-energized and the circuit at 99, |00 will be broken, de-energizing the relay |0|, thus opening the circuit |04, |05. deenerglzlng the motor ||0. Pressure in the door closer I8 against piston 23 will drop,

and the spring 22 will close the door in a man- In Fig. 10, there is shown a storage chamber ||6 in which is mounted a pump ||1 having a driving shaft I' 8, which is driven by a motor such as motor I I0 of the modification of Figs. 7 and 8.

The pump when driven accepts fluid through its.

intake pipe I9, and moves it outwardly under pressure vthrough its port |20. The liquid under pressure moves from the port |20 upwardly through the pipe |2| to the pipe ||4 which leads to the door closer, this pipe ||4 being the same one as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

The iiuid under pressure is also forced through a nipple |22 into a pressure control valve |23. 'I'his pressure control valve |23'has a central bore |24 in which is housed a piston |25, which is maintained in a downward position, in which it obstructs the flow of uidfrom the nipple |22 by means of a spring |29 which is adjustable to vary thel pressure thereof by a bolt |21, in a manner which is quite obvious.

So long as the pressure generated by the pump ||1 is .lower than is necessary to lift the piston |25 against the pressure of spring |26, all of the fluid pumped will move upwardly through pipe |2| to pipe H4, to the door closer. Should the pressure generated by the pump rise to a point to ears |34 are formed on'the base |30. Rods |36 pass through the ears |34 and |35 and are threaded for upper and lower nuts |31, |38, thereby holding thecylinders |3| and |32 assembled to base |30. The base |30 is then secured toa suitable main base through a series of lugs |39 shaped as is shown in Figs. 18 and 19.

The upper end of the cylinder |32 is screw threaded at |40 so that there may be mounted thereon a cap' |4| defining astorage chamber |43a.- Cylinder |32 has a series of four passages |42 formed as illustrated, and each`plugged at |43 and |44. Ball valves v|45 are dropped into obstructing relation to a series of lower passages |45, for a purpose to be described presently. A nipple |41 is screw threaded into the upper portion of cap |4|, this nipple leading to the low pressure side Vof the door closer through pipe ||5, which 'is the same pipe as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.*

Both the cap |4| and the upper surface of the cylinder |32 are drilled for a further nipple |48, which connects to the pipe I4, this leading to the pressure side of the door closer I8, as in Fig. 7. A double piston |49 is mounted so that its upper piston |50 operates in the chamber |5| of the cylinder |32, while itsv lower piston |52 operates in the internal cylinder |53 of the cylinder |3|. A spring |54 is` connected at one end to the piston |50, and at its other end to the base |30, so as to urge the double piston |49 into its position of Fig. 17, and with the face of the sponding to a second counterbore |62 formed in the bore |51.

We have therefore devised a This sleeve is haust of the `Water under pressure.

A sleeve valve |63 is mounted for rotation within the sleeve |58. This sleeve valve has a pair of slots |64 'which are adapted to be aligned in one position of the sleeve, opposite the slots |59 in sleeve |58. A second pair of slots |65 are formed in our sleeve valve |63 for cooperation with the slots |6| of sleeve |5 8.` The orientation of the slots |65 relatively to the slots 64 is such, that when the sleeve valve is in one rotated position; that is, the position of Fig. 17, the slots |64 will be aligned with the s'lots |59, so that there will be a through passage from the counterbore |60 through the central chamber of the valve |63, through passage |56, and the cut away portion |55. In a second rotated position of the valve |63, the slots |64 will move to close oi the passage through slots |59 in the stationary sleeve, and the slots |65 will be aligned with the slots |6| of the stationary sleeve, and with. th'e counterbore |62 so that there will be communication between the counterbore |62 through the sleeve valve |63, passage |56, and cut away portion |55.

Leading into the counterbore |60 is a passage |61 connected to a water pressure nipple |66, so

that when the sleeve valve is positioned as in Fig. 17, water undei` pressure is admitted against piston |52 of the double piston |49 to force that pistonupwardly. A second nipple |68 is connected through passage |69 to the second coun.

'of the slots |64 and |65 is such that slots |64 will shut oi the water pressure just in advance of the positioning of slots |66 to permit the ex- For rotating the sleeve valve |63, we utilize a rod |69 formed integral with sleeve |63 and passing through a packing member |10, and connected to a lever |1|, which in turn is pivoted to the armature |12 of an electromagnet |13. The electromagnet |13 functions just exactly as does the electromagnet 82 of Fig. l; that is, when it is energized, it forces the sleeve valve |63 into a position wherein water pressure will be applied to move the double piston |49 upwardly under the pressure of the water; whereas when the said relay is de-energized, it allows the spring |14 te movel of the cylinder |5|, should there be some loss of oil during the operation of my mechanism, the flow from the reservoir, in a manner to be described presently, will serve to make up this loss.

When the double piston |49 is forced upwardly through the action of relay |13, the piston portion |66 will naturally force oil through the nipple |48, through the high pressure pipe ||4 into the door closer of Figs. 2 and 4, as has already been described, causing the door to open. The ball valves |45 areA ofcourse seated at this time to prevent any flow of oil under pressure through the passages |46. Oil will ow from the door closer as previously described through pipe ||5, and into the storage chamber |43a.

When4 the relay |13 is de-energized and water pressure on the piston portion |52 of the double piston |49 is relieved, the door closer spring 22 will function to close the door. It will of course be assisted by spring |54. There being no pressure in the cylinder |5|, the ball valves |45 will unseat, and oil will ow upwardly through the passages |46 into the cylinder |5| in suilicient quantity to fully illl that cylinder so as to condition it for the next operation of the double piston |49. It will be well to indicate at this time that the pipe |54a and passage |54b leading to counterbore |60 are merely tope'rmit escape of air trapped by the double piston |49. We believe that the operation of this portion of our invention will now appear quite clear to those skilled in the art.

It will. be recalled at this Atime that the door4 closer of Figs. 2 and 4 has a novel valve head 26, which has been substituted therein for the standard commercial valve head 21, such as is shown in the door closer of Fig. 9. A further modification of our invention dispenses with the valve head 26, and utilizes the commercial door closer shown in Fig. 9 together with a source of adequate pressure, such as that of Fig. 10. For the purposes of our invention, it may be considered that the head 21 of the door closer of Fig. 9 is drilled and tapped for a nipple connection ||4a, whereby to connect the door closer with the pressure pipe ||4 of the pump of Fig. 10. The lower portion of chamber 32 is drilled and tapped for a nipple ||5a, whereby iiuid forced into the door closer may be exhausted and allowed to drain into the storage chamber ||6 through a suitable connection which is not shown in Fig. 10.

When pressure is applied to the piston head 23 through the pipes ||4 and 4a by the energization of the motor which drives the pump ||1 of Fig. 10, the piston 23 will be forced to the left in a direction to actuate the pinion 24, carried by shaft I1, through its rack 25, thus reversing the normal operation of the door closer I8 and forcing the opening of the door.

The pressure generated by the pump must, however, be of a suillcient degree so that pressure will be maintaine'd against piston 23 while oil under pressure is rst dissipated through passage 39, and past valve stem 30, and later is dissipated through passage 28 and past the end of the valve stem 30. The oil so 'dissipated runs through the exhaust pipe ||5a and back to the storage tank ||6. We have found that by using a pressure of pounds per square inch, together with a standard closer such as manufactured by the Norton Door Closer Company, we are able to obtain .the action desired, and a full, complete and eflicient opening of a door through the forcing back of the piston 23, despite the dissipation of the pressure through the regular valve mechanism of the closer. Naturally, the door closer. I8 will, when pressure is not applied thereto, and when the door to which it is applied is manually operated, function in the'normal manner of a door closer.

.It will vbe noted in Fig. 9 that the valve stem 29 at the left end of this closer is in position to control the speed of the flow of fluid through the passages 28 and 33. By substantially closing flow through passage -33, the final opening movement of themechanism is snubbed or checked,

contributing a very desirable result, as Will be'4 appreciated.

lthe corresponding ends of the links |80 being connected by a. bar |8I. When the door closer operates to move its arms in the direction of the arrow |8a, the links |80 and common link |8| will move to the dotted line position of Fig. 15, and each of the doors I will be opened to their dotted line positions, as shown. In Fig. 16, we show a second pair of doors I0 operated by a door closer I8 through a common link |82, and individual links |83 and |84, all as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. i

We now claim:

1. In a combination of the class described, a

.door closer having a door closing spring, a fluid pressure chamber, a piston movable-in said chamber, means movable upon manual opening movement of the door to wind said spring and move said piston from the high pressure end of said fluid pressure-chamber toward the low pressure end thereof, the said spring thereafter closing said door as said piston moves towards the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber, fluid passage means between thelow pressure end of said chamber and the high pressure end thereof constructed so that as said piston moves toward the low pressure end uid will flow freely from said low pressure end to said high pressure end, a control valve positioned in a passage of said fluid passage means for slowing down the ow of fluid from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end to control the piston movement incidental to the closing action of said door closer, a source of fluid pressure, a pipe connecting the pressure side of said source to the high pressure end of said chamber, a pipe connecting the intake side of said source to the low pressure end of said chamber, means initiating the application of fluid under pressure from said source to the high pressure end of said chamber and against said piston to reverse the action of said door closer by forcing said piston toward the low pressure end of said chamber, the fluid from the low pressure end of said chamber passing',

through said pipe towards the intake side of said source, the stoppage of fluid application from said source allowing the door closer spring to close the door, whereupon the piston forces the uid from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end through said fluid passage means in by-passing relation to said source and past the said control valve, whereby to control the door closing speed in the sam'e manner as when the door is manually opened and subsequently released for closing.

2. In a combination of the class described, a

said piston from the high pressure end of saidv fluid pressure chamber toward the low pressure end thereof, the said spring thereafter'closing said door as said piston moves towards the high to the low pressure end to control the piston movement incidental to the closing action of said door closer, a source -of fluid Vpressure, a pipe connecting the pressure side of said source t'o the high pressure end of said chamber, a pipe connecting the intake side of said source to the low pressure end of said chamber, means initiating the application of fluid under pressure from said source to the high pressure end of said chamber and against said piston to reverse the action of said door closer by forcing said piston toward the low pressure end of said chamber against the pressure of the door closer spring, while allowing dissipation of fluid through said control valve to the low pressure end of said chamber, the fluid from the low pressure end of said chamber passing through said pipe towards the `intake side of said source, the stoppage of fluid application from said source allowing the door closer spring to 'close the door, whereupon the piston forces the fluid from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end -through said fluid pas- I sage means in bypassing relation to said source and past the said control valve, whereby to confluid pressure chamber toward the low pressure,

end thereof, the said spring thereafter closing said door as saidpiston moves towards the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber, fluid passage means between the low pressure end of said chamber and the high pressure end thereof constructed so that as said piston moves towards the low pressure end fluid will flowl freely from said low pressure end to said high pressure end, a control valve positioned in .a passage of said fluid passage means for slowing down the flow of fluid from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end to control the piston movement incidental to the closing action of'said door closer, a source of fluid pressure, a pipe connecting the pressure side of said source to the high pressure end of said chamber, a pipe connecting the intake side of said source to the low pressure end of said chamber, means initiating the application of fluid under pressure from said source to the high pressure end of said chamber and against said piston to reverse the action of said door closerby forcing said piston toward the low pressure end of said chamber, means for stopping the flow of fluid past said control valve during the application of said fluid under pressure againstsaid piston, whereby to preventdissipation of said uld under pressure through said valve, the fluid from the low pressure end of said chamber passing through said pipe towards the intake side of said source, the stoppage of fluid application from said source allowing the door closer spring to close the door, whereupon the piston forces the fluid from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end and through said fluid passage means in bypassing relation to said source andpast the said control valve, whereby to control the door closing speed in the same'mann'er as when the door is manually opened and subsequently released for closing.

4. In a combination of the class described, a door closer having a door closing spring, a fluid pressure chamber, a piston movable in said chamber, means in engagement with said piston and spring and movable upon manual opening movement of the door to wind said spring and move said piston from the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber toward the low pressure end thereof, the said spring thereafter closing said door as said piston moves towards the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber, fluid passage means between the low pressure end of said chamber and the high pressure end thereof constructed so that as said piston moves towards .the low pressure end fluid will flow freely from said low pressure end to said high pressure end, a control valve positioned in a passage of said fluid passage'means for slowing -down the flow of fluid from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end to control the piston movement incidental to the closing action of' said 30 door closer, a source of fluid pressure, a pipe connecting the pressure side of said source to the high pressure end of said chamber, a pipe connecting the intake side of saidV source to the low pressure end of said chamber, means initiating the application of fluid under pressure from said source to the high pressure end of said chamber and against said piston to reverse the action of said door closer by forcing said piston toward the low pressure end of said chamber, a pressure 40 actuated device actuated by the application of said fluid for shutting off the flow of uid past said control valve during the application of said fluid under pressure against said piston, whereby to prevent the dissipation of said iluid under pressure through said va1ve, the fluid from the low pressure end of said chamber passing through said pipe towards the intake side of said source, the stoppage of fluid application from said source allowing the door closer spring to close the door as said pressure actuated device moves to allow once again the flow of fluid past said control valve, whereupon the piston forces the fluid from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end through said fluid passage means in by-passing relation to said source and past the said control valve, whereby to control the door closing speed in the same manner as\ when the door is manually opened and subsequently released for closing.

5. In a combination of the class described, a door closer casing, a fluid pressure chamber formed in said casing, a piston movable in said chamber, a door closing-spring, means movable upon opening movement of the door to Wind said 35 spring and move said piston from the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber` toward the low pressure end, the said spring thereafter closing said door as said piston moves towards the high pressure end of said fluid pressure To chamber, a fluid passage in said casing between the high pressure end of said chamber and the low pressure end thereof, a control valve in said fluid passage for slowing down the flow of fluid.

from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end to control the piston movement incidental to the closing action of said door closer, means whereby as said piston moves from the high pressure end of said chambertowards the low pressure end thereof duid will flow freely from said low pressure end to'said high pressure end to allow displacement of said piston and A easy manual opening of the door, a source oi fluid pressure displaced from said casing, a pipe connecting the pressure side of said source to the high pressure end of said chamber, a pipe of said piston,`the stoppage of fluid ,application from said source allowing the door closer spring to close the door, whereupon the piston forces the fluid to'flow through the fluid passage in said casing from the high pressure end of said cham-` ber to the low pressure end in by-passing relation to said source and past the said control valve, whereby to control the door closing speed inthe same manner as when the door is manually opened and subsequently released `for closing.

6. In a combination of the class described, a door closer casing, a fluid pressure chamber formed in said casing, a piston movable in said chamber, a door closing spring, means movable upon opening movement of the door to wind said spring and move said pistonfrom the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber toward the low pressure end, the said spring thereafter closing said door as said piston moves towards the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber, a fluid passage in said casing between the high pressure end of said chamber and the low pressure end thereof, a control valve in said fluid passage for slowing down the flow of fluid from the high pressureend of said chamber to the low pressure end to control the piston movement incidental to the closing action of said door closer, means whereby as said piston moves from the high pressure end of said chamber towards the low pressure end thereof fluid will flow freely from said low pressure end to said high pressure end to allow displacement of said piston and easy manual opening of the door, a source of fluid pressure displaced from said casing, a

pipe connecting thepressure side of said source to the high pressure end of said chamber, a pipe connecting the intake side of said source to the low pressure end of said chamber, means initiating'the application of fluid under pressure from said source to the high pressure end of said chamber and against said piston to reverse the action of said door closer by forcing'said piston toward the low pressure end of said chamber, a pressure actuated device actuated by the application of said fluid for shutting off the flow of fluid past said control valve during the application of said fluid under pressure against said piston, whereby to prevent dissipation of said fluid under pressure through said valve, the fluid from the low pressure end of said chamber passingthrough said pipe towards the intake of said source to allow displacement of said piston, the stoppage of uid application from said source allowing the door closer spring to close the door as said pressure actuated device moves to allow once again the flow of fluid past said control' valve, whereupon the piston forces the uid to flow through the fluid passage in said'casing from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end' in by-passing relation to said source and past the said control valve whereby to control the door closing speed in the sure end of said fluid pressure chamber towardthe low pressure end, the said spring thereafter closing said door as said piston moves towards the high lpressure end of said fluid pressure chamdoor closer, a source of fluid pressure, a pipe conl necting the pressure side of said source to the high Vpressure end of said chamber, a pipe connecting the intake side of said source to the low pressure end of said chamber, means initiating the application of uid under pressure from said source to the high pressure end of said chamber and against said piston to reverse the action of said door closer by forcing said piston toward the low pressure end ofsaid chamber, the uid from` the low pressure end of said chamber passing through said pipe towards the intake side of said source, the stoppage of fluid application from said source allowing the door closer spring to close the door, whereupon the piston forces the fluid to flow through the fluid passage from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end in by-passing relation to said source and past the said control valve, whereby to control the door closing speed in the same manner as when the door is manually opened and subsequently closed.

8. In a combination of the class described, a,

door closer casing, a fluid pressure chamber formed in said casing, a piston movable in said chamber, a door closing spring, means movable on opening movement of the door to wind said spring and move said piston from the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber toward the low pressure end, the said spring thereafter closing said door as said piston moves towards the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber, a check valve passage in said piston allowing free flow of fluid from the low pressure side Vof the piston to the high pressure side thereof whereby to facilitate movement of said piston as the door is manually opened, a fluid passage between the high pressure end of said chamber and the low pressure en`d thereof, a control valve in said fluid passage for slowing down the flow of fluid from the high pressure end of said chamber to the low pressure end to control the piston movement incidental to the closing action of said door closer, a source of fluid pressuraa pipe connecting the pressureside of said source to the high Ipressure end of .said chamber, a pipe connecting the intake side of said source tothe low pressure end of said chamber, means initiating the application of fluid under pressure vfrom said source to the high pressure end ofl said chamber and against said piston to reverse the action'of said door closer by forcing said piston toward the low pressure end of said chamber, a pressure actuated device actuated by .the application of said fluid for shutting off the flow of fluid past said control valve during the application of fluid under pressure against said piston, whereby to 'i prevent dissipation of said fluid under pressure through said valve, the fluid from the low pressure end of said chamber passing' through said pipe towards the intake of said source, the stoppage of fluid application Ifrom said source allowing the door closer spring to close the door as said pressure actuated device moves to allow once again the flow of fluid past said control valve, whereupon the piston forces the uid to flow through the fluid .passage from the high pressure end of said chamber-to the low pressure end in bypassing relation to said source and pastI the said control valve, whereby to control the door closing speed in the same manner as when the door is manually opened and subsequently closed.

9. In a combination of the .class described, a door operatorcomprising a cylinder, a .piston movable in said cylinder, a source of fluid pressure, a pipe connecting the pressure end of said cylinder with the pressure side of said source,

a pipe connecting the. low pressure'end of said cylinder with said source, meansl whereby said piston opens a door when moved from the high pressure end of said cylinder towards the low pressure end thereof, means for initiating the application oi.Y` fluid under pressuretfrom said source to-the high pressure end of the cylinder whereby to move the piston to open the door, means for moving the door to closed position upon the stoppage of application of fluid under pressure, whereupon the closing o f the door is controlled by the speed with which said fluid is forced Afrom the high pressure end of the cylinder by said piston, a valved passage leading from the high pressure end of said cylinder toward the low .pressure end of thecylinder in bypassing relation to said source of fluid pressure and through which said fluid is forced by said piston as said door closes, means for shutting off said valved passage when fluid under .press-ure is applied to the high pressure end of said cylinder, and a check valve in said piston also closed bythe application of fluid pressure to the high pressure end of said cylinderoperable to allow free flow of fluid therethrough as when the door is opened manually without the application of said fluid under pressure.

10. In a combination of the class described, a door operator comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said' cylinder, a source of fluid pressure, a pipe connecting the pressure end oi said cylinder with the pressure side of said source, a pipe connecting the low pressure end of said cylinder with said source, means whereby said piston opens a door when moved from the high pressure end of said cylinder towards the low pressure end thereof, means for -initiating the application of uid under pressure from said source to the high pressure end of said cylinder whereby to move the piston to open the door, means for moving the door to closed position upon the stoppiston, a -valv'ed passage leadinsr from the high pressure end of said cylinder toward the low pressure end'oi the cylinder in` lay-passing relation to said source of fluid pressure and through which said iluid is forced by said piston as said door closes, and means whereby the application of iiuid under pressure from said source to the high pressure-end of said cylinder shuts o said valved passage 11. In a combination of the class described, a door operator comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder. a source of fluid pressure, a pipe connecting the pressure end of said cylinder with thepressure side of said-source, a pipe connectingthe low pressure end of said cylinder with said source, means whereby said piston opens a door when moved from the high pressure end of said cylinder towards the low pressure end thereof, means for initiating the application of uid under pressure from said source to the high pressure end of the cylinder whereby to move thepiston to open the door, means for moving the door to closed position upon the stoppage of application oi uid under pressure, whereupon the closing of the door is controlled by the speed with which said fluid is forced from the high pressure end of the cylinder by said piston, a valved passage leading from the high pressure end of said cylinder toward the low pressure end of the cylinder in by-passing relation to said source of iluid pressure and through source to the high pressure end of the cylinder whereby to move the;k piston to open the door.

. means-for moving the door to closed position which said iluid is yforced by said piston as said door closes, and a checkwalve in said piston allowing free ow of fluid therethrough from the low pressure side thereof to the high pressure side whereby to facilitate manual opening of the door.,

12. In a combmaun of the class described, a door operator comprising a cylinder. a piston movable in said cylinder, a source of fluid pressure, a pipe connecting the pressure end of said cylinder with the pressure side'of said source, a pipe connecting the low pressure end of said cylinder with said source, means 'whereby said piston opens a door when moved from the high pressure end of said cylinder towards the low pressure end thereof, means for initiating the application of fluid under pressure from said upon the stoppage of application or'iluid under pressure, whereupon the closing of the door is controlled by the speed with which said fluid is forced from the high pressure end of the cylinder by said piston, a valved passage leading from the high pressure end of said cylinder toward the low pressure end of the cylinder in by-passing relation to said source of fluid pressure and through which said fluid is forced by said piston as said door closes, and a check valve in said piston allowing free iow of fluid therethrough from the low pressure side thereof to the high pressure side whereby tov facilitate manual opening of the door, said check valve closing upon application of huid pressure against the end of said piston as l when. the door is thereafter moved to closed position and when uid from said pressure source is applied thereagainst.

13. In a combination of the class described. a door closer having a door closing spring, a uid pressure chamber, a piston movable in said chamber, means in engagement with said piston and spring and movable upon manual opening movement of the door to wind said spring and move said piston from the high pressure end of said uid pressure chamber toward the low pressure end thereof, the said' spring thereafter closing said door as said piston moves towards the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber,

a fluid passage leading from the high pressure end of said chamber to the other end thereof, a control valve in said passage whereby to slow down the action ofthe door closing spring, a

source yoi.' fluid pressure, a pipe between said source of fluid pressure and the high pressure end of said fluid pressure chamber; means whereby the application of fluid pressure to said chamber through said pipe shuts said uid passage while said fluid pressure moves said piston to reverse the operation of said door closer whereby to open the door to which said closer is applied, the stoppage of application of iiuid from said fluid pressure source opening said iiuid passage and allowing thepiston to force the fluid through said 'passage and control valve in by-passing relation to said fluid pressure source as the door closing spring closes said door. Y.

ROBERTS. POTTER. MAURICE D. BENNETT. 

